News

Penngrove man sentenced to 10 years for beating his 2-month-old daughter

Bay City News Service

Posted:
11/28/2012 04:43:37 PM PST

Updated:
11/28/2012 04:43:37 PM PST

SANTA ROSA -- A Penngrove man was sentenced in Sonoma County Superior Court on Tuesday to 10 years in prison for abusing his 2-month-old daughter.

Jesus Daniel Colula, 26, pleaded no contest in August to felony child cruelty and admitted to inflicting great bodily injury on his daughter.

Colula had faced up to 12 years in prison in the case.

"The level of remorseless brutality used on a helpless infant is unimaginable. This lengthy prison term is entirely appropriate," Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch said.

Colula's wife Lyndsay also pleaded no contest to felony child cruelty and inflicting great bodily harm. Judge Gary Medvigy postponed her sentencing until she has undergone a diagnostic evaluation by the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

She is expected to be sentenced in early January, Ravitch said.

The couple's daughter suffered seven broken ribs and a broken leg between her knee and her ankle in May.

The baby's injuries were discovered after the couple took her for a check-up at a Sonoma County clinic. Doctors at Children's Hospital and Research Center in Oakland also examined the baby and notified Child Protective Services. The baby was taken from the Colulas and is now with Lyndsay Colula's parents.

The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office investigated the case and arrested the couple in June.

The Colulas gave different reasons for the child's injuries.

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They said, among other things, that Lyndsay had rolled onto the child while she was sleeping, that the baby fell out of bed, that the family dog pounced on their daughter, and that Lyndsay had accidentally sat on the girl.

Ravitch said Medvigy rejected Jesus Colula's contention he and his wife did not seek immediate medical attention for the infant because they feared medical staff would learn Lyndsay was smoking marijuana while breastfeeding.